Below is a video that provides strategies to solving word problems!
Use some of the strategies taught in class as well as these strategies to solve your word problems.
12 Tips To Becoming A Better Word Problem Solver
Read the problem carefully looking for clues and important information. Write down the clues, underline, or highlight the clues.
If necessary, rewrite the problem to help find these clues.
Look for clues to determine which math operation is needed to solve the problem, for example addition, subtraction, etc. Look for key words like sum, difference, product, perimeter, area, etc. They lead to the operation needed to solve the problem.
Look for what is needed solve the problem, for example: how many will are left, the total will be, everyone gets red, everyone gets one of each, etc.
Use variable symbols, such as “X” for missing information.
Eliminate all non-essential information by drawing a line through distracting information.
Draw sketches, drawings, and models to see the problem.
Is the word problem similar to a previous work, if so how was it solved.
Develop a plan based on the information determined to be important for solving the problem.
Carry out the plan using the math operations which were determined would find the answer.
Does the answer seem reasonable, if it does then it is probably ok – if not then check the work.
Work the problem in reverse or backwards, starting with the answer to see if you wind up with your original problem.
HOME ACTIVITY!
STEP ONE:
Please solve three of the following word problems using the strategies presented in the video above.
This assignment will be due on Friday, April 20, 2012.
1. Ivan is putting books in his bookcase. He has already put 74 books in the bookcase but he has 225 books. How many more books does he have to put in the bookcase?
2. Amber has 36 smarties to share among herself and 3 friends. How many smarties will each of them receive?
3. Ken gets allowance funds every day. On Monday he gets 1 cent, on Tuesday he gets 2 cents, on Wednesday he gets 3 cents, on Thursday he gets 4 cents and so on. How much money will he have by the by the 12th day? 16th day? How did you figure this out?
4. It takes 90 days to save enough money for a new book I want. Estimate how many months that is?
5. You have 12 mp3 songs on your computer. 1/4 of them don’t work. How many mp3’s do you have to buy to replace the ones that don’t work?
6. You have 5 mini pizzas to share with 4 friends. You’re cutting the pizzas in half, how much will each friend get? How can you make sure the leftovers get shared equally?
STEP TWO:
Create your own word problem!
You will need to create one word problem for a classmate!
This word problem can be about any topic you choose. Make your word problem as fun and creative as you like!
On Friday, April 20, 2012, you and a classmate will exchange the word problems you created!
Modified instruction to enrich learning is highlighted in yellow.
READING AND MATHEMATICS!
Reading is crucial when determining what mathematical operations should be used to solve word problems.
Word problems require us to convert them into equations.
To do this, we need to identify the key words in the problem and
then decide what operations are required to solve the problem.
The following link explains how students can identify key words when reading word problems:
Identifying Key Words in Math Problems
Below is a video that provides strategies to solving word problems!
Use some of the strategies taught in class as well as these strategies to solve your word problems.
12 Tips To Becoming A Better Word Problem Solver
Read the problem carefully looking for clues and important information. Write down the clues, underline, or highlight the clues.
If necessary, rewrite the problem to help find these clues.
Look for clues to determine which math operation is needed to solve the problem, for example addition, subtraction, etc. Look for key words like sum, difference, product, perimeter, area, etc. They lead to the operation needed to solve the problem.
Look for what is needed solve the problem, for example: how many will are left, the total will be, everyone gets red, everyone gets one of each, etc.
Use variable symbols, such as “X” for missing information.
Eliminate all non-essential information by drawing a line through distracting information.
Draw sketches, drawings, and models to see the problem.
Is the word problem similar to a previous work, if so how was it solved.
Develop a plan based on the information determined to be important for solving the problem.
Carry out the plan using the math operations which were determined would find the answer.
Does the answer seem reasonable, if it does then it is probably ok – if not then check the work.
Work the problem in reverse or backwards, starting with the answer to see if you wind up with your original problem.
HOME ACTIVITY!
STEP ONE:
Please solve three of the following word problems using the strategies presented in the video above.
This assignment will be due on Friday, April 20, 2012.
1. Ivan is putting books in his bookcase. He has already put 74 books in the bookcase but he has 225 books. How many more books does he have to put in the bookcase?
2. Amber has 36 smarties to share among herself and 3 friends. How many smarties will each of them receive?
3. Ken gets allowance funds every day. On Monday he gets 1 cent, on Tuesday he gets 2 cents, on Wednesday he gets 3 cents, on Thursday he gets 4 cents and so on. How much money will he have by the by the 12th day? 16th day? How did you figure this out?
4. It takes 90 days to save enough money for a new book I want. Estimate how many months that is?
5. You have 12 mp3 songs on your computer. 1/4 of them don’t work. How many mp3’s do you have to buy to replace the ones that don’t work?
6. You have 5 mini pizzas to share with 4 friends. You’re cutting the pizzas in half, how much will each friend get? How can you make sure the leftovers get shared equally?
STEP TWO:
Create your own word problem!
You will need to create one word problem for a classmate!
This word problem can be about any topic you choose. Make your word problem as fun and creative as you like!
On Friday, April 20, 2012, you and a classmate will exchange the word problems you created!
Modified instruction to enrich learning is highlighted in yellow.
Standards:
MA.3.A.4.1: Create, analyze, and represent patterns and relationships using words, variables, tables, and graphs.MA.A.3.3.2: The student selects the appropriate operation to solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of rational numbers, ratios, proportions, and percents, including the appropriate application of the algebraic order of operations.